JPH0822455A - Information processing method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] You can print the records of the database automatically for each record or while changing the print pattern by the operator's specification. Also, when there is no optimum print pattern or within the print limit range of the print pattern. Provided is an information processing method and apparatus for displaying a warning message and performing a coping process when the number of print characters of a print target item exceeds. [Structure] When printing each record of a database, a data determination unit 205 that automatically selects an optimum print pattern for each record from print patterns stored in advance in a print format information table 105, and an optimum print pattern is printed. If the print information does not exist in the format information table 105 or if the number of print characters of the print target item exceeds the print limit range of the print pattern and all the print items in the record cannot be printed, a warning message is displayed and the coping process is performed. It is composed of the format setting unit 202.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing method and apparatus, and particularly to the number of characters of print target items on a database,
The present invention relates to an information processing method and apparatus for automatically changing a print pattern for each record by recognizing a character type for printing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As prior art, in information processing using a word processor or personal computer, one set of information (address, name, postal code, telephone number, etc. of the related party) is treated as one record, and some of these There is a case where a record obtained by collecting the above records is stored in a database and used later for printing the address of a postcard.

A printing method for printing records in a database on a regular paper such as a postcard with a fixed arrangement is to set an arbitrary printing area as in the document creating apparatus described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 89129/1993. This is realized by associating arbitrary items such as the sender's address, name, and zip code with the area position, and setting the printing pattern such as vertical writing or horizontal writing at the same time for printing. Further, the print position of each print item in the record and the print format such as vertical writing or horizontal writing can be set for each print item in the record.

[0004]

The addresses in the database may be stored not only in Japan but also in foreign countries, or the names may be written in alphabets or the like.
For this reason, the vertical writing / horizontal writing of the printing pattern of the address cannot be decided unconditionally. When printing a postcard address, etc. by referring to a database in which records that should be printed vertically are mixed with records that should be printed horizontally, the conventional technique is to print vertically. It is necessary to classify the records to be printed and the records to be printed in horizontal writing and set the print patterns for printing respectively, which makes the operator operation troublesome. Also, if you print without changing the print pattern, the name of the alphabet etc. will be printed vertically, and waste such as postcards may occur, and further, the items of the alphabet will not be converted to horizontal writing, If it is printed in vertical writing format, it will not be incomprehensible, but it remains unreadable and unnatural.

In each record, the number of characters in each item varies even if they are the same print item. For address items, etc., when the number of print lines is obtained from the number of characters in the item,
Depending on the record, the characters printed may be two lines or three lines. If this is ignored and printing is performed without changing the printing pattern, printing may not be performed outside the printing range, or printing may not be possible at the position desired by the operator.

An object of the present invention is to automatically write vertical or horizontal writing when a record of a database is printed on a standard paper such as a postcard by recognizing and controlling the character type and the number of characters of the print target item in the record. An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing method and apparatus for determining a print direction and a print layout, changing the most suitable print pattern for each record, and printing.

Further, when the number of lines calculated from the number of characters in the print item exceeds the print range of the print pattern selected by the operator operation, or within the print range of which print pattern when the print pattern is automatically selected. In the case where it exceeds the limit, it is to provide an information processing method and apparatus for displaying the handling process content and performing the instructed handling process.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention stores a series of information such as an address, a name, and a zip code as a database, and prints a printing pattern required when printing the record. The print items in the record and the pattern items in the print pattern are stored based on the information from the storage step of storing information that associates each print item in the record with each pattern item in the print pattern. In an information processing method, which includes an overall control step of printing a record on the database in accordance with a print pattern consisting of the associated pattern items.
The overall control step determines whether or not there is a print item in which all the character types are alphabets among the print items in the record, and when there is a print item in the alphabet, a print pattern in which the printing direction is horizontal, and when there is no print item. There is provided an information processing method characterized by comprising a data determination step of automatically selecting a print pattern with a vertical writing direction from print patterns stored in advance in the storage step for each record.

As another means for achieving the above-mentioned object, a series of information such as an address, a name, a postal code, etc. is stored as a database, and a print pattern necessary for printing the record is stored, and the record pattern in the record is stored. Based on information from a storage device that stores information that associates each print item with each pattern item of the print pattern, each print item in the record and each pattern item of the print pattern are associated with each other. In an information processing apparatus including an overall control device that prints a record on the database according to a print pattern consisting of each pattern item, the overall control device prints all the print items in the record in alphabetical character types. If there is an item, it is judged that there is a print pattern with the horizontal writing direction when there is a print item of the alphabet. Printing direction to print patterns of vertical, to provide an information processing apparatus characterized by having a data judging unit for automatically selecting for each record from among the printing patterns is previously stored in the storage device.

[0010]

According to the present invention, the data determination section checks whether or not there is a print item in which plural alphabets are present in the print items of the character type among the print items in the record. When there is no print pattern in the horizontal writing direction and no print item, the print pattern in the vertical writing direction is automatically selected for each record from the print patterns stored in advance in the storage device. In addition, the data determination unit obtains the number of print characters of each print item in the record, compares the number of print characters with the print pattern stored in the storage device in advance, and prints all the contents of each item from the print pattern. It is possible to optimize the print pattern with the smallest number of print setting lines and the highest occupancy of the number of characters in the pattern item when the characters of the print target item are applied to the pattern item specified in multiple lines of each print pattern. The print pattern is automatically selected for each record. As a result, when printing each record in the database on a standard paper such as a postcard, the optimum print pattern can be automatically selected and printed for each record.

When the print format setting unit recognizes the number of print characters and the number of print lines of each print item in the record in the data determination step and selects a print pattern, the print pattern stored in the storage device in advance has each print item. If all the print items in the record cannot be printed because the number of print characters and the number of print lines of are exceeded, the corresponding process content is displayed and the instructed corresponding process is performed. As a result, the print processing of the record can be stopped, and the corresponding processing such as changing the print pattern can be performed, so that a printing error can be eliminated.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An information processing method and device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The storage device 104 is composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk memory or the like, and information of each related party such as an address, a name, a postal code and a telephone number is made into one record, and these several records are collected and made into a database. The record information table 105 that stores the recorded information, and the position information and vertical writing / printing when printing each record.
A print format information table 106 that stores print patterns such as horizontal writing, and a print item information table 107 that stores information about which print item in a record is associated with each pattern item of the print pattern are provided. There is.

The input device 101, according to an operator's instruction, various information signals necessary for associating the print item of each record in the database stored in the storage device 104 with the pattern item of the print pattern, printing, etc. Input various control processing signals.

When the printing is instructed by the input device 101, the overall control device 102 sets the print range / print item that associates the print record range designation with each print item of the print record and the print pattern pattern item. Part 201
A print format setting unit 202 that sets a print pattern of a record to be printed, a print control unit 203 that creates print data based on the print pattern of a record to be printed, and the storage device 1
04, the record information table 105 stored in the record information table 105, the record control unit 204 that acquires the data of one record, the contents of each print item of each record, and the data determination that determines the print pattern Part 2
05, and a print format control unit 206 that obtains a print pattern from the print format information table 106 stored in the storage device 104.

The display device 103 is controlled by the overall control device 102 to display various information.

The printing device 109 is controlled by the overall control device 102 to perform actual printing.

A printing method for each record by the information processing apparatus thus configured will be described.

FIG. 2 shows a processing flowchart for printing by each record performed by the overall control device 102.

When printing is instructed by referring to the database, first, in step 301, the print range of the record is designated. The print range / print item setting unit 201 instructs the record control unit 204 to acquire record information to be printed.
The record control unit 204 refers to the record information table 105 of the storage device 104 and outputs the record information to the print range / print item setting unit 201. The print range / print item setting unit 201 displays the print range designation screen 501 of FIG. 4 on the display device 103 from the record information. In the print range designation screen 501 of FIG. 4, all the record information can be displayed on the display device 103 by instructing the cursor key and the scroll key from the input device 101, and printing is performed on the display screen while performing the above operation. When the start and end of the record are designated, the record control unit 204 sends the record to the display device 103 and displays it on the screen. After that, when the selection end is instructed from the input device 101, the print start / end record information indicates the print format setting unit 202 and the data determination unit 205.
Sent to.

Next, in process 302, each print item in the record is associated with each pattern item of the print pattern. The print range / print item setting unit 201 instructs the record control unit 204 to acquire the record configuration information to be printed. The record control unit 204 refers to the record information table 105 of the storage device 104 and outputs the record configuration information to the print range / print item setting unit 201. The print range / print item setting unit 201 displays the print item information setting screen 502 of FIG. 5 including print items and record configuration information on the display device 103. The print item information setting screen 502 of FIG. 5 is stored in the record information table 105 and pattern items such as a postal code, an address first line, an address second line, a title, a first name line, a second name line, and the like. Display each print item of a record. After the print item information setting screen 502 is displayed, the corresponding pattern item is selected and instructed from the display screen by the input device 101, and the print item is allocated. These selected pattern items are displayed on the display device 1 by the display control unit 204.
It is sent to 03 and is displayed on the screen. After that, the input device 101
When the selection end is instructed, the associated pattern item is stored in the print item information table 107 of the storage device 104.

In process 303, a print pattern is acquired. The print format setting unit 202 instructs the print format control unit 206 to acquire the print pattern of the print format information table 106 in the storage device 104. The print format control unit 206
The print pattern is acquired from the print format information table 106 of the storage device 104 and sent to the print format setting unit 202.

When the process 303 is completed, the print format setting unit 202 causes the display device 103 to display the print method selection screen 5 shown in FIG.
03 is displayed. From the print method selection screen 503,
By instructing various printing methods by the input device 101, the process branches to the printing process (process 304, process 30).
5).

Next, each printing process when each printing method is selected by the input device 101 from the printing method selection screen 503 of FIG. 6 will be described.

From the printing method selection screen 503 to the input device 10
When "1: automatic print format setting print" is selected by 1, in step 308, one record data to be printed is read from the record information table 105 of the storage device 104. Here, the print format setting unit 202 sends the print start / end record information sent from the print range / print item setting unit 201 and an instruction to read one record data to be printed, to the record control unit 204, and the record control unit 204. Record information table 1 of the storage device 104 at 204
05, one record data to be printed is read.

When one record data to be printed is read, item data determination processing (processing 309) in the read record is performed to determine the printing direction. First, the print format determination instruction from the print format setting unit 202, the record data read from the record control unit 204, and the acquired print pattern are sent to the data determination unit 205. The data determination unit 205 refers to the print item information table 107 of the storage device 104 and determines whether or not there is an item whose character type is all alphabets among the print items in the sent record data (process 310). If all the print items are alphabetic, the item is 1
If it is also an item, the data determination unit 205 determines that the printing direction is horizontal writing, and extracts the horizontal writing format print pattern from the print patterns sent from the print format setting unit 202 (process 311).

If none of the print items have all alphabetic characters, the data determination unit 2
Reference numeral 05 determines that the printing direction is vertical writing, and extracts the vertical writing format printing pattern from the printing patterns sent from the printing format setting unit 202 (process 312).

As shown in FIG. 7, the print format information table 106 includes information such as the print direction, the number of printable characters of each item, the print position information of each item, the number of print lines, and the like. Have a pattern. A print pattern selection screen 506 in FIG. 10 shows a print image based on this information.

Next, an optimum format selection process (process 313) for selecting a print pattern based on the print direction and record data obtained in the processes 311, 312 is performed.

FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of a concrete process of the optimum format selection (process 313). First, the data determination unit 205 acquires the print target item content from one code data read in the process 307 (process 4).
01). Next, in order to extract a print pattern in which all the character numbers of each item can be printed, the number of characters of each print item data and all the acquired print patterns are compared and checked.
First, one of the extracted print patterns is acquired (process 402), and each printable character number information of the print pattern is compared with the corresponding number of print target characters (process 403).
By comparison, it is checked whether or not there is a protruding item having the number of characters to be printed (process 404). When there is no protruding item and all the characters of each item to be printed can be printed, a printable print pattern is set (406). When there are overhanging items and all the characters of each print target item cannot be printed, it is set as a non-printable print pattern (process 405), and this is performed by the number of the extracted print patterns (process 407) to extract printable patterns. To do. Next, it is checked whether or not there is a printable pattern extracted in the above processing (processing 408),
If there is no print pattern, the information indicating that there is no optimum print pattern is returned to the print format setting unit 202 (process 41).
8). If there is a printable pattern, the number of extractions is checked (process 409), and if there is only one extracted print pattern, that print pattern is returned to the print format setting unit 202 as the optimum print pattern (process 417). When there are a plurality of print patterns, the print pattern having the smallest number of print lines is extracted from the extracted print patterns (process 410). Next, the number of print patterns extracted in process 410 is checked (process 411), and if there is only one print pattern extracted, it is returned to the print format setting unit (202) as the optimum print pattern (process 41).
7). If there are a plurality of items, the number of characters in each print pattern item extracted in the above process is compared with the number of characters in the address printing target item, and the print pattern having the largest occupation ratio of the number of characters in the item is acquired. (The occupancy ratio of the number of characters in the item here is the ratio of the number of characters that can be actually printed to the number of characters that can be printed when the number of printable characters of the print pattern is compared with the number of characters that are actually printed. It is shown in.)
First, one of the extracted print patterns is acquired (process 412), and the occupation rate of the address item is obtained from the number of printable characters of the address item of the print pattern and the number of characters of the print item data corresponding to the address item (process 413). ), Store (process 41)
4). By performing this for the number of the extracted print patterns (process 415), the occupation rate of each print pattern can be obtained. The print pattern having the highest item occupancy rate than the obtained item occupancy rate is obtained (step 416), and the print pattern is set as the optimum print pattern, and the print format setting unit 20
It returns to 2 (process 417).

Returning to FIG. 2 again, it is next checked whether or not there is a print character protrusion, that is, whether or not the optimum print pattern is found (process 31).
5) If the optimum printing pattern is not found,
A warning message of the print pattern mismatch screen 508 is displayed on the display device 103 (process 318), and the input device 101
Thus, when the coping instruction is sent to the print format setting unit 202, the coping process is performed in accordance therewith (process 319). There are three handling processes: "end the process", "print from the next record", and "correct the print pattern", and the correction of the print pattern is an area (rectangle) set at an arbitrary position. The print pattern selection screen 506 of FIG. 10 is corrected by using the function of designating the print position of each item and performing printing by using the layout editing function for correcting (step 320). If the optimum print pattern is found by the check in the process 315, the print process is performed based on the data of one record to be printed, the print item information of the record data, and the print pattern information (process 316). Process 316
Then, in the print control unit 203, the record data to be printed sent from the print format setting unit 202, the corresponding print pattern pointer and print item information of the record, and the print pattern information sent from the print format control unit 206. Based on the above, the data of one record is developed into print information, and the print information is sent to the printing device 108 and printed.

After the printing of one record is completed, if the next print data exists, the process returns to the reading of one record (process 308) and the process is repeated. When the printing of all records is completed, the printing process is ended. (Process 3
17) A specific example of the above print result is the print result 130 of FIG.
1, the print result 1302 is shown. From the database 507 as shown in FIG. 11, when automatic postcard format setting printing is performed, the record 1201 is the print result 1301 and the record 1
The print result 202 is like a print result 1302.

When "2: vertical / horizontal printing format designation printing" is selected from the printing method selection screen 503 of FIG. 6 by the input device 101, in step 306, a record for postcard horizontal writing printing is designated. Here, the print format setting unit 202 sends the print start / end record information and the record information acquisition instruction sent from the print range / print item setting unit 201 to the record control unit 204. The record control unit 204 refers to the record information table 105 of the storage device 104,
The record information is output to the print format setting unit 202. The print format setting unit 202 displays the print direction designation screen 504 of FIG. 8 including the record information on the display device 103. In the print direction designation screen 504, all the record information can be displayed on the display device 103 by instructing a cursor key and a scroll key from the input device 101. When the user inputs an instruction to select a record to be printed horizontally from the display screen while operating the input device 101, the display control unit 20
4 is sent to the display device 103 and displayed on the screen. After that, when the selection end is instructed from the input device 101, the selected record is printed horizontally and the other records are printed vertically and sent to the data determination unit 205. Data determination unit 2
Based on this information, 05 instructs the print format control unit 206 to acquire the print direction pattern for each record. The print format control unit 206 uses the print format information table 10 of the storage device 104.
The print direction pattern for each record is acquired from 6 and sent to the data determination unit 205.

Next, in the process 308 described above,
One record data to be printed is read from the record information table 105 of the storage device 104.

On the basis of this record data and the print direction pattern for each record, the data judgment unit 205 selects the optimum print format in the above-described processing 313, and determines whether or not there is a print character protrusion, that is, the optimum print pattern. Check whether or not was found (Process 31)
5). When the optimum print pattern is not found, the warning message and the coping process of the above-described process 318, process 319, and process 320 are performed, and when the optimum print pattern is found, the print process is performed (process 316).

After the printing of one record is completed, if the next print data exists, the process returns to the reading of one record (process 308) and the process is repeated. When the printing of all records is completed, the printing process is ended (process 31).
7).

A specific example of the above print result is shown as a print result 1302 and a print result 1303 in FIG. When a postcard print with print format designation is performed from the database 507 as shown in FIG. 11 and records 1202 and 1203 are designated as horizontal print, the record 1202 is the print result 130.
2. The record 1203 becomes the print result 1303.

When "3: print format designation printing" is selected by the input device 101 from the printing method selection screen 503 of FIG. 6, processing 307 designates the printing pattern of each print target record. The print format setting unit 202 instructs the record control unit 204 to acquire the print start / end record information and the record information sent from the print range / print item setting unit 201. The record control unit 204 refers to the record information table 105 of the storage device 104 based on the print start / end record information, and outputs the record information to the print format setting unit 202. The print format setting unit 202 displays the print pattern change line designation screen 505 of FIG. 9 on the display device 103 based on the record information. In the print pattern change line designation screen 505, all the record information can be displayed on the display device 103 by instructing the cursor key and the scroll key from the input device 101. When an instruction to select a print pattern change target record is issued from the display screen while the input device 101 is performing the above operation, the display control unit 20
4 is sent to the display device 103 and displayed on the screen.

When the print pattern change target record is designated, the print format setting unit 202 displays the print pattern selection screen 506 of FIG. 10 on the display device 103. When a print pattern determination instruction is issued from the input device 101 on the print pattern selection screen 506, the print pattern change target record is changed to the selected print pattern. Thereafter, when the end of change is instructed from the input device 101, the changed record becomes the changed print pattern, and the other records become the print pattern of the selection number (2) on the print pattern selection screen 506.

The print pattern information and the record information are sent to the data judging section 205 to instruct the check of the number of characters and the number of lines of the print item. The data determination unit 205 calculates the number of characters of each print item from the record information, refers to the number of printable characters of the print pattern of the record, and compares them. Further, in the address item, the number of print lines is obtained from the calculated number of characters and compared with the print pattern. When the number of characters or lines of each item exceeds the number of printable characters or the number of printable lines, the print format setting unit 202 is notified of NG (print pattern mismatch). The print format setting unit 202 uses the process 31 described above.
8, print pattern mismatch screen 5 in process 319 and process 320
A warning message 08 is displayed on the display device 103, and when a coping instruction is given from the input device 101, coping processing is performed according to the instruction.

When the number of characters or the number of lines of each item to be printed does not exceed the number of printable characters or the number of printable lines of the print pattern, the print format setting unit 202 sets the print record number and the print pattern number to the print control unit. Send to 203. The print control unit 203 prints record data sent from the print format setting unit 202, a corresponding print pattern pointer of the record, print item information, a print target record number, and a print pattern sent from the print format control unit 206. Based on the information, the data of one record is developed into print information, and the print information is sent to the printing device 108 and printed (process 316). This is repeated for the number of records, and when the printing of all records is completed, the printing process is ended (process 317).

A specific example of the above print result is shown as a print result 1302 and a print result 1303 in FIG. From the database 507 as shown in FIG. 11, when the horizontal print pattern is selected by the specified line postcard printing and postcard printing is performed, the record 1202 becomes the print result 1302 and the record 1203 becomes the print result 1303.

[0044]

According to the present invention, by recognizing the print item in the record of the database, automatically or
Since the print pattern can be changed and printed for each record by the operator's operation, it is possible to eliminate the trouble of the operator performing the print operation a plurality of times for each print pattern. Also, if there is no corresponding print pattern or if the number of print characters or print lines of the print target item exceeds the limit range of the print pattern selected by operator specification, a warning message requesting corrective action is displayed, According to the handling instruction, a printing error can be eliminated by taking a countermeasure such as stopping the printing process or changing the printing pattern.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a process for printing performed by the overall control device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a specific processing flowchart of the optimum format selection shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a print line range designation screen from the information table of FIG.

5 is a diagram showing a print item condition setting screen from the information table of FIG.

6 is a diagram showing a printing method selection screen for instructing a display by the printing format control unit of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a print format information table of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a print format designation postcard printing designation screen.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a designation screen for designated line postcard printing.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a pattern selection screen for designated line postcard printing.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a database storing addresses, names, etc.

FIG. 12 shows a printing result when printing is performed according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a print pattern mismatch screen of a warning message.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference numeral 101 ... Input device, 2 ... Overall control device, 201 ... Print range / print item setting unit, 202 ... Print format setting unit, 203
... print control unit, 204 ... record control unit, 205 ... data determination unit, 206 ... print format control unit, 103 ... display device, 104 ... storage device, 105 ... record information table, 106 ... print format information table, 107 ... printing Item information table, 108 ... Printing device

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A record of a series of information such as an address, a name, and a zip code is stored as a database, print patterns necessary for printing the record are stored, and each print item in the record and the print pattern are stored. Of each print item in the record and each pattern item of the print pattern are associated with each other based on the information from the storage step of storing information associating each pattern item of According to a pattern, in an information processing method including an overall control step of printing records on the database, the overall control step determines whether or not there is a print item in which all the character types are alphabetic among the print items in the record. , If there is a print item of the alphabet, the print direction is horizontal print pattern, if there is no print item, the print direction is An information processing method, comprising: a data determination step of automatically selecting a vertical writing print pattern for each record from print patterns stored in advance in the storage step. 2. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein in the data determining step, the number of print characters of each print item in the record is acquired, and the print character number and the print pattern previously stored in the storing step are obtained. By comparing, from the print pattern, all the contents of each item can be printed, and when the characters of the item to be printed are applied to the pattern item specified in multiple lines of each print pattern, the number of print setting lines is the smallest ,
An information processing method characterized in that a print pattern having the highest occupation rate of the number of characters in the pattern item is automatically selected as an optimum print pattern for each record. 3. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the overall control step recognizes the number of print characters and the number of print lines of each print item in the record in the data determination step, and selects a print pattern. At the time of printing, if the print pattern stored in advance in the storage step exceeds the number of print characters or the number of print lines of each print item and all print items in the record cannot be printed, the corresponding processing content is displayed, An information processing method comprising a print format setting step for performing a designated corresponding process. 4. A series of information such as an address, a name, and a zip code is stored as a database, print patterns necessary for printing the record are stored, and each print item in the record and each print pattern are stored. Based on information from a storage device that stores information that associates pattern items with each other, each print item in the record is associated with each pattern item of the print pattern, and according to the print pattern including the associated pattern items. In the information processing apparatus including an overall control device that prints a record on the database, the overall control device determines whether or not there is a print item in which all the character types are alphabetic among the print items in the record, and If there is a print item in the alphabet, the print pattern with the horizontal writing direction is used.If there is no print item, the print pattern with the vertical writing direction is used. An information processing apparatus comprising a data determination unit for automatically selecting each record from print patterns stored in advance in the storage device. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the data determination unit acquires the number of print characters of each print item in the record, and determines the number of print characters and the print pattern stored in advance in the storage device. By comparing, from the print pattern, all the contents of each item can be printed, and when the characters of the item to be printed are applied to the pattern item specified in multiple lines of each print pattern, the number of print setting lines is the smallest An information processing apparatus characterized in that a print pattern having the highest occupation rate of the number of characters in the pattern item is automatically selected as an optimum print pattern for each record. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the overall control device recognizes the number of print characters and the number of print lines of each print item in the record in the data determination step and selects a print pattern. At the time of printing, if the print pattern stored in advance in the storage device exceeds the number of print characters or the number of print lines of each print item and all print items in the record cannot be printed, the corresponding processing contents are displayed, An information processing method, comprising: a print format setting unit that performs an instructed response process.